General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

metal medal mounted in synthetic block

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

9.6 cm

Width

2.9 cm

Height

9.5 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Space Technology

Category

Commemorative

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Unknown

Country

Unknown

State/Province

Unknown

City

Unknown

Context

Country

United Kingdom

State/Province

Unknown

Period

1968+

Canada

John Chapman (1921-1979) from London, Ontario was a pioneer in Canadian telecommunications and a researcher, innovator and leader of the Canadian space program whose work set a course for the Canadian space industry which is still being followed today. From 1949 to 1968 Chapman was scientist, superintendent and deputy chief superintendent in the Defense Research Telecommunications Establishment in Ottawa and then assistant deputy minister for research in the federal Department of Communications. From 1958 to 1971 Chapman played a key role in initiating and directing the successful Alouette/IS scientific Earth satellite program. In 1966 he was appointed chairman of a government study group to examine the upper atmosphere and space programs in Canada. The resulting report was a landmark contribution to space policies and plans in Canada and led to the redirection of Canada's space program from scientific to applications satellites. Chapman was also the prime mover behind Canada's co-operative program with NASA and the European Space Agency to design, build and demonstrate the Hermes Communications Technology Satellite which would provide Canadians in remote areas with direct-to-home television by satellite. Chapman was a member of the Royal Society of Canada. He was also part of the National Research Council (NRC) Associate committee on Space Research, a council of the top Canadian space scientists. He also served on the International Union of Radio Science and the American Geophysical Union. In the1990's the headquarters of the Canadian Space Agency was renamed the John H. Chapman Space Centre to commemorate Chapman's accomplishments in the space industry. Since 2000, the Canadian Space Agency has awarded the John H. Chapman Award of Excellence to celebrate remarkable contributions to the advancement of the Canadian Space Program & a lifetime of achievement in space science and technology (Refs. 2-5).

Function

An award presented to a scientist for distinguished research in physics in such areas as environmental physics, terrestrial magnetism, atmospheric electricity and related subjects.

Technical

The Institute of Physics is a leading international professional body and learned society based in London, England, established to promote the advancement and dissemination of physics. The Charles Chree Award commemorates Dr Charles Chree (President of The Physical Society 1908-10) and is awarded for distinguished research in environmental physics, terrestrial magnetism, atmospheric electricity and related subjects, such as other aspects of geophysics comprising the earth, oceans, atmosphere and solar-terrestrial problems (Ref. 1). John Chapman was the recipient of a number of awards and honours for his work in aero-space technology: 1966 - the Royal Society of Canada/ 1966 - the Engineering Medal of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario (2006.0011)/ 1966 - the Dellinger Gold Medal of the International Union of Radio Scientists (2006.0007)/ 1966 - the McCurdy award from the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute (2006.0008)/ 1967/68 - the Charles Chree Medal and Prize of the Physical Society & Institute of Physics (2006.0009)/ 1977 - Canada's Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (2006.0010)/ 1979 - the McNaughton Medal of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Canada (2006.0006)/ 2005 - inducted into Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame as a pioneer (2006.0005) in the Servants of the Public category (Refs.2-5).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

incised lettering around edge reads "1968. JOHN HERBERT CHAPMAN"/ raised lettering on obverse reads "QVI HOC ACCEPERIT CAROLI CHREE MEMORIAM FOVEAT" & on reverse "SOL ROTATVR MAGNETICA RESPONDET TERRA

Missing

complete

Finish

silver coloured medal/ colourless transparent synthetic

Decoration

effigy of Charles Chree on obverse, child holding scroll on reverse